Kevin Ollie, Jen Rizzotti Tee It Up For Miracle League

WEST HARTFORD — The negotiating is over, the speculation subsided for now. Kevin Ollie's work at UConn continues.

"It gives me security and the understanding I'm going to be here a long time," said Ollie, who signed a five-year contract on May 23. "There is going to be speculation every year, but the kids know I have their backs and their best interests at heart. I have a five-year contract and I believe I'm going to be here the whole five years."

After leading UConn to the national championship on April 7, Ollie became a hot coaching commodity, mentioned as a candidate for numerous NBA openings. The NBA, he said, had no allure for him right now. Ollie and University of Hartford women's basketball coach Jen Rizzotti were at the Miracle League of Connecticut golf event at Wampanoag Country Club on Tuesday, which raised money to maintain and build wheelchair-accessible baseball fields and playgrounds.

"There's no place else I'd rather be," he said. "Questions about leaving [UConn], I kept telling you all the same things and you kept coming up with other questions. But I'm not going anywhere."

The five-year deal, worth $16 million, gives Ollie an easier buyout — $1 million — if he wanted to take an NBA job after two seasons. It took several weeks to get the deal done, he said, because it was complicated. "Once [AD Warde Manuel] and I sat down, we got it done."

Ollie played 13 seasons in the NBA, finishing his career with the Thunder. Derek Fisher, an Oklahoma City point guard, is considered the front-runner to become the coach of the Knicks.

"He'd be a great coach," Ollie said. "He's always been a coach on the floor, he's a point guard. He's won championships. He has the pedigree. He's humble. He knows how to work hard. There is no secret to it, you have to make sure the players understand your vision and you've got to make them believe and not waver from any of your principles."

This past season, Jason Kidd went directly from player to head coach with the Nets, the transition that Fisher would have to make.

"A lot of people have probably tried [to go right from playing to head coaching] and didn't get a chance, because they didn't interview well or effectively communicate their vision. I don't see that as a problem with Derek," Ollie said. "He's a great motivator."

Three of Ollie's players — Shabazz Napier, DeAndre Daniels and Niels Giffey — have been working out for various NBA teams. Napier, who just had a workout with the Suns, could be a first-round pick.

"I tell Shabazz, 'Just be yourself,'" Ollie said. "'Be willing to do something another man is not willing to do. Every day get better at something. And when you open your mouth, it's an interview. People are always watching you. Work ethic first, professionalism second, humility third.'

"But Shabazz is going to handle everything, because he's a great leader, and NBA teams will see that."

Daniels, who entered the draft as a junior, is considered a second-round pick. He was in a group working out for the Celtics on Tuesday.

"He has some tremendous talent," Ollie said. "He got better each season, shot remarkably from the three-point line [41.7 percent], he can be a mismatch nightmare. He has a lot of attributes he can bring for a team."

Giffey is trying to secure a summer league spot, a training camp opportunity. He has recently worked out for the Knicks. "If he shoots like he did for us last year, he can fit in any offense," Ollie said.

With summer classes underway in Storrs, Ollie is already beginning the work of preparing players for next season. Amida Brimah, who had shoulder surgery, is out of his harness and progressing on schedule. Sam Cassell Jr. arrived on campus this week. Two incoming freshmen, Daniel Hamilton and Rakim Lubin, are expected later this month.

For Ollie, who will host a golf tournament to benefit the Tolland Fund on Aug. 4 at Glastonbury Hills, providing opportunities for the physically challenged is important.

"We want a lot of parks that are accessible for wheelchairs," he said. "For them to play a sport, baseball, so many other things. I just jumped at the chance to be a part of this. If you've ever been at the park, you see what they do, the laughter of the kids, you just see the smiles and you understand what it's really about. It's about giving a kid a chance to play organized sports that a lot of people have said no to."

Rizzotti has two young sons playing baseball in Glastonbury, which brings the cause closer to home. The Miracle League maintains a padded, wheelchair-accessible baseball field and playground at Asylum and Trout Brook in West Hartford.

"I have two boys of my own playing baseball, and know what it's like to work hard, be committed, have people cheering for them," Rizzotti said. "So to be a part of this and help provide opportunity for every kid to play on a baseball field and have somewhere where it's accessible for them and experience those things — being healthy, being out there with other kids is the best thing for any kid."

Rizzotti will be a coach, helping out Team USA this summer under Geno Auriemma, a role she hopes will lead to a chance to coach in a future Olympics.